Efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil for lichen planopilaris
Accepted 3 May 2009. published online 11 January 2010.
Refers to article:
Commentary: Treatment of lichen planopilaris: Some progress, but a long way to go
, 11 January 2010
Leonard C. Sperling, Jennifer V. Nguyen
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
March 2010 (Vol. 62, Issue 3, Pages 398-401) Full Text |
Full-Text PDF (136 KB)
Background
Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes permanent scalp hair loss and significant patient discomfort.
Objectives
We sought to determine the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for treatment of LPP in patients who had failed prior topical, intralesional, or oral anti-inflammatory medications such as hydroxychloroquine or cyclosporine.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective chart review of 16 adult patients with LPP treated with at least 6 months of MMF in an open-label, single-center study from 2003 to 2007. Subjective and objective end points were quantified using the LPP Activity Index (LPPAI) and scores before and after treatment were assessed using a paired t test. Adverse events were monitored.
Results
Patients who completed treatment with MMF had significantly decreased signs and symptoms of active LPP despite having failed multiple prior therapies (P < .005). Five of 12 patients were complete responders (LPPAI score decreased>85%), 5 of 12 patients were partial responders (LPPAI score decreased 25%-85%), and two of 12 patients were treatment failures (LPPAI score decreased<25%). Four patients withdrew from the trial because of adverse events.
Limitations
Retrospective analysis and small sample size were limitations.
Conclusions
MMF was effective at reducing the signs and symptoms of active LPP in 83% of patients (10 of 12) who had failed multiple prior treatments after at least 6 months of treatment.
aDepartment of Dermatology, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Mountain View, California
bUrgent Care, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Fremont, California
cDepartment of Dermatology, Kaiser Medical Group, Union City, California
dDepartment of Dermatology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
eDepartment of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
fDepartment of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, California
Reprint requests: Vera H. Price, MD, Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, 1701 Divisadero St, Third Floor, San Francisco, CA 94143.
ABSTRACT